Venize

City of bridges, city of water, city of masks! Venice is the most amazing man-made city. 118 islands over Venetian lagoon form this ever floating city. Water-taxi, water-bus and gondolas navigate these water ways. There are no buses, no cars, no cycles. You either walk or you take water-borne vehicle. Even the garbage is taken out on boats; the things are delivered within city on hand-cart! The city, being close to water is humid and hot but the first thing you notice around is the Grand Canal and on both sides of it the patio restaurants and the flowers, oh the flowers! Every nook of the city is filled with resplendent bunches.

Small lanes, bevy of visitors, amazing smell of food, ice-crème shop at every corner (pistachio my favorite), water canals at every bend and masks – is typical Venice. I think there are enough masks for everyone in the city a few times over. Don’t know what the city is asking its visitors to masquerade, but you can find any color, any style and any price on these masks. The streets, hotel-rooms, restaurants are tiny, the canals stink a tad, the Marco-polo (all roads lead to Marco-polo) square is littered with people all the time. The Basilica is beautiful on the outside and serene inside. The difference is literally night and day when you step from bright light and crowds into the dark and quiet interior. The square itself is amazingly roomy. With restaurants all around and basilica and tower in center – the pigeons, the musicians, the tourists, the vendors, the gondola salesmen, and the artists – everyone finds a place here.

I have to say the gondola ride (in my opinion) is over-rated. It is short and in small canals (which stink due to stagnant water) with a few minutes in the Grand Canal and through historic buildings of Casablanca, old market, jail and first Venetian bridge. And there’s no traditional singing by fellas. Not even humming, sometimes not even talking!

Bellini was invented in Venice and historic Harry’s bar offers some delicious food, lots of choice in Bellini and a fine view to go with it. The square is the place to be at night with musicians at every corner. The hour of the night is signaled by bells on basilica by metal figurines. The streets at night are less crowded and very safe. The edge of square becomes calm and as gondolas park for the day, looking through to the islands and listening to gentle water washing on steps is very soothing.

I also walked to the other end of the main island and watched the beautiful city from across the main channel. A looming statue of a boy with a frog in his hand is quiet amusing. Venice is a beautiful city, a unique place. I can’t imagine living there - imagine grocery shopping. And that’s the reason the city is so touristy! All you see are hotels, shops, restaurants and gondolas. It has had issues with flooding and constant danger of sinking, but for what it is and how it is; it is a place you have to see for yourself to believe it exists.